Subhash Khetulal Sharma, a 73-year-old farmer from Yavatmal district in Maharashtra, has transformed his 16-acre farm into a model of natural farming. Dedicated to sustainable agricultural practices, he has worked tirelessly to create a harmonious balance between nature and farming. His innovative approach to farming, which prioritizes both environmental health and productivity, has earned him widespread recognition.
His pioneering work was honored with the Padma Shri award as part of the Padma Awards 2025, celebrating his outstanding contribution to farming and his commitment to sustainability.
Journey from a Farming Family to an Expert Cultivator
Subhash hails from a farming family. He has been cultivating land since 1970. He has a very deep understanding of agriculture. Sharma has developed a farming system with an emphasis on soil health, water conservation, and ecological balance. He cultivates a diversified range of crops on his land according to the season. India has mainly 3 seasons as per agricultural practice.
He cultivates pumpkins, groundnuts, pigeon peas, turmeric, and horticultural crops, during the rainy season. During winter he is busy cultivating radish, fenugreek, coriander, and tomatoes. His contribution to agriculture goes much beyond his harvest. Sharma has dedicated his life to reviving natural farming methods which is to counter the damage done by excessive chemical farming.
Shift to Natural Farming
Sharma decided to give up chemical farming in 1994 after realizing that his crop yields had decreased sharply. He then understood how the excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides was destroying the fertility of the land and disturbing the ecological balance.
This realization led him toward natural farming. By 2000, his hard work began paying off. His farm's productivity increased from 50 tonnes to 400 tonnes, along with a decrease in input costs. He attributes this success to nature's regenerative power and stated, “Natural farming is about nurturing the land, not exploiting it.”
A Vision for Sustainable Agriculture
Subhash Sharma's farm is planned to be a self-sustaining ecosystem. His formal agricultural planning involves:
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Land use for 2% as animal husbandry, which significantly contributes to the organic manure generation.
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Land use for 3% of rainwater harvesting, which captures and saves the water.
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30% land for trees, thus enhancing biodiversity and also serving as natural shade and nutrient supply. The fruit trees are recommended by him so there will be diversification for revenue generation.
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65% of the land is used for multi-crop cultivation, with continuous production throughout the year, along with nutrient enrichment of soil.
Sharma focuses on the need to understand agriculture as an integrated system that sustains soil, water, and biodiversity. His methods are centered around five core principles: earth conservation, water retention, indigenous seed preservation, crop planning, and efficient labor management.
Challenges in Agriculture and Solutions
Sharma warns that there is an immediate crisis in agriculture due to climate change, degradation of soil, water scarcity, environmental imbalance, and lack of social recognition of farmers. "If we do not consider the climate change aspect in farming, then we will get ruined. We have only around seven years more to act," he cautions.
Sharma recommends a restructured agricultural system. This system will reward farmers with direct financial incentives for restoring the soil, conserving water, and achieving ecological balance. He advocates for widespread water conservation schemes at the village level to recharge the groundwater and prevent a water crisis.
Impact and Recognition
Sharma's farm is not just a source of food but an ecological restoration hub. He conserves one crore liters of rainwater annually. He also recharges six crore liters of groundwater on just six acres of land. His contribution to water conservation alone stands at Rs. 120 crores. This speaks about the gigantic societal benefit of natural farming.
He is a farmer who shares his knowledge with those transitioning to sustainable practices. He believes that a successful farmer must engage in four sectors: cattle raising, tree planting, bird movement facilitation, and biomass optimization. His philosophy goes beyond farming techniques, addressing the root causes of farmers' struggles.
He calls the policymakers and society to action, urging them to fully recognize the worth of agricultural laborers. "Instead of sympathy for the farmer, we need empathy. Give him the right price for his produce, or else he will be driven away to labor elsewhere.".
Sharma continues to work tirelessly on his farm, despite being in his 70s. He believes that the future of agriculture will be determined by a fundamental shift toward natural farming. He has called upon the government to implement policies that prioritize ecological balance over short-term economic benefits. "The government must recognize natural farming as the foundation of future agriculture and act accordingly," he insists.
